Walk with the Word: Hearing God Speak Through His Word

Transcription

1 Walk with the Word: Hearing God Speak Through His Word

2 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW OF WALK WITH THE WORD... 5 THE CULTURAL MANDATE FOR WALK WITH THE WORD... 6 THE BELIEVER S NEED FOR THE WORD... 9 THE THEME OF WALK WITH THE WORD READING SCHEDULE HOW TO USE WALK WITH THE WORD CHAPTER 2: HOW TO READ GOD S WORD INFORMATIONAL READING INSTRUCTIONAL READING INSPIRATIONAL READING INCARNATIONAL READING DON T GET DISCOURAGED! CHAPTER 3: HEARING GOD S VOICE HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD: LET ME COUNT THE WAYS God speaks only through the Bible, and only to a limited degree God speaks through the Bible, but also through believers with spiritual gifts such as prophecy, words of knowledge and words of wisdom God speaks through the Bible, but also through extra-biblical sources THE BIBLE ALONE IS THE WORD OF GOD ONLY TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EXPLAIN GOD S WORD HEARING GOD S VOICE: HOW IT WORKS IS THIS SPIRITUALIZING THE TEXT? PITFALLS AND DANGERS CHAPTER 4: READING PLAN THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE READING PLAN THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF THE READING PLAN MASTER READING PLAN CHAPTER 5: WALK WITH THE WORD AS AN INDIVIDUAL STUDY GUIDE ADOPT A READING PLAN WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Walk with the Word, Page 2 of 82 Used by Permission. All other content, materials, etc. on this site are Copyright by Walk with the Word and/or Walk with the Word. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit use freely granted. Commercial use strictly prohibited. Any questions or comments concerning Walk with the Word should be directed to Servant@WalkWithTheWord.org

3 ENHANCE ANOTHER STUDY THE EXAMPLE OF DAVID CHAPTER 6: THE INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD OBSERVATION Begin with prayer Ask the 5 W s and an H Mark key words and phrases Look for lists Watch for contrasts and comparisons Identify terms of conclusion Develop your own chapter themes Note expressions of time INTERPRETATION APPLICATION CONCLUSION CHAPTER 7: JOURNALING THE CHALLENGE MEDITATING ON THE WORD OVERVIEW OF JOURNALING THE JOURNALS OF JIM ELLIOT CREATING A WORD JOURNAL LEAVING A LEGACY SAMPLE JOURNAL ENTRIES BIBLIOGRAPHY Books about Journaling Books about Jim Elliot Examples of Journals CHAPTER 8: WALK WITH THE WORD AS A SMALL GROUP MINISTRY OVERVIEW OF SMALL GROUPS THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF A SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY TEACHING APPLICATION SHARING TOUCH EXTRA Page 3 of 82 Used by Permission. All other content, materials, etc. on this site are Copyright by Walk with the Word and/or LogosWalk. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit

4 SUMMARY CHAPTER 9: WALK WITH THE WORD AS A CHURCHWIDE PROGRAM ADOPT A READING SCHEDULE THE PULPIT MINISTRY ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SMALL GROUPS YOUTH AND CHILDREN PROGRAMS TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER WITH A COORDINATOR THE MINISTRY INCUBATOR CHAPTER 10: SUPPORTING MATERIALS BIBLE STUDIES HOW TO STUDY GUIDES GRAPHICAL STUDY AIDS BOOK REVIEWS THE COSTS CHAPTER 11: FINAL COMMENTARY ON THE NEED FOR WALK WITH THE WORD Page 4 of 82 Used by Permission. All other content, materials, etc. on this site are Copyright by Walk with the Word and/or LogosWalk. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit

5 Chapter 1: Overview of Walk with the Word God's Word is not just a book for Christians to read, but the only offensive weapon provided in our spiritual warfare arsenal: ʺFinally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.ʺ Ephesians 6:10 17 As the preacher said, "There's nothing new under the sun." Well, there's nothing new on this web site either; nothing that hasn't been suggested and advocated for a couple of millennia. Walk with the Word is but a reminder as every generation is reminded by someone that Believers need only commit themselves and their ministries to consistent immersion in the Bible to hear God speaking personally today. Three times that we're aware of, God personally wrote instructions for man: The original tablets provided to Moses, on the wall for a king during Daniel's time, and in the dirt for over-zealous religious leaders during Jesus' time. This demonstrates that God could have personally written and handed down the entire Bible without man as an intermediary but rather CHOSE to speak through man, through what has been captured as the books of the Bible. Page 5 of 82

6 As noted in the passage from Ephesians above, the Bible is not only the medium that connects God's mouth to our ear, but is the ONLY offensive weapon with which we wage spiritual warfare. If we don't pay attention to it don't clean it, keep it sharp, practice wielding it we're vulnerable to the persuasions of another voice not of God. Every successful "revival" or "movement" has been sparked by recommitment to wielding this weapon, to hearing God speak through His Word. The Cultural Mandate for Walk with the Word ʺMy zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.ʺ Psalm 119:139 Churches today exist in a culture of ethical relativism. The rapid moral decline of American society is entirely consistent with the erosion of Judeo-Christian values on which the country was founded. The only absolute tolerated by the culture today is that there are no absolutes. One's personal values tend to be acquired from the entertainment industry, truth is a matter of individual interpretation, and what is right is a matter of personal choice. Josh McDowell and Norm Geisler clarify the problem in their book Love Is Always Right: A Defense of the One Moral Absolute: ʺIf you believe that the conscience of the Western world is still guided by objective truth, honesty, moral purity, and the Golden Rule, you need to take a close look at how the people around you are living. And if your Christian values have not been challenged or ridiculed as archaic or irrelevant by a neighbor, coworker, teacher, or student, then your lamp is under a basket or the people you interact with day by day are blind and deaf. ʺ...About three decades ago, we transitioned into what the late Christian thinker Dr. Francis Schaeffer termed the ʹpost Christian era...ʹ But in the last decade of the twentieth century, we have reached a new low. American society has entered a period that may well be called the ʹanti Christian era.ʹʺ (excerpts from pages 18 21) Page 6 of 82

7 If there are really no absolutes, then truth is relative and subject to interpretation by the individual. One's religious beliefs are self-designed and self-serving, customized to the perceived needs of the individual at any given point in time. Christians are not immune from the influences of society. Being "in" the world but not "of" the world is a narrow road that cannot be safely traveled without clear directions. Through a hedonistic entertainment media, through a justice system dominated by personal rights, and through public education ruled by humanism and liberalism, children in particular are subject to and will continue to be influenced by the secular ideologies of the day. Like the culture, Christians can be lured easily into the errors of Israel at the time of the Judges: ʺIn those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.ʺ Judges 21:25 The context in Judges is one of civil law, but the principle remains the same. Without a source of absolute truth, every person Christians not excepted will believe and do what is right in his or her own eyes. Evangelical Christian apologists are crying out for help from the local churches. One can hear over and over again the need to disciple believers, to teach the Bible, to teach sound doctrine, and to teach that the Word of God is the only absolute upon which spiritual truth can be based. It is also well documented that the average Christian is woefully ignorant, if not illiterate, concerning knowledge and the truth of the Bible. The proclamation ministry of the church is another area where in many cases secular influences have prevailed. In an attempt to stay in touch with an anti-authoritarian culture, and through the influence of liberal Page 7 of 82

8 biblical scholarship, many mainline denominations and churches have demoted the pre-eminence, authority and relevance of the Word of God. The Bible is sometimes employed only pragmatically and in no less capacity than spiritual "consultant." At the other end of the spectrum, many evangelical churches have dug in their heels with "meaty, expositional teaching" of the Bible. In doing so, however, some have become so "meaty" as to fail to communicate effectively the big picture of what the Bible is all about, or to make God's Word applicable to the believer's life. Adding to the confusion of ministry and teaching focus for churches today is the impact of the Church Growth Movement. Though some church plants have found these strategies successful, many wellintentioned pastors have been left confused and frustrated, especially those in smaller churches which are desperately in need of greater numbers. They have attempted to implement church growth principles, only to find themselves with little or no growth and a lot of division within the church. It is no wonder that over 1,400 pastors leave the ministry every month. A clear and effective biblically based plan is necessary to provide all its members with a personal knowledge of God and a practical understanding of His Word. A comprehensive, church-wide ministry is needed that centers around the Word of God and is taught at all educational levels of the church on a repeating cycle. The basic model is taken from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, under the leadership of the late Pastor Chuck Smith who, from the beginning, has taught through the Bible every couple of years. It is felt, however, that this plan can be easily adopted to fit just about any church ministry, large or small. For this reason, Walk with the Word may be implemented by any church without prior permission. As God's Word is freely given to us, so Walk with the Word is freely given to others. For it is our earnest desire that every believer who seeks to Page 8 of 82

9 worship God "in spirit and in truth" will be able to say earnestly from the heart ʺYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.ʺ Psalm 119:105 The Believer s Need for the Word ʺMy soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word... My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your Word.ʺ Psalm 119:25, 28 Many Christians have an earnest desire to know God's Word. Barely a Christian can be found these days who does not own and carry a "study" Bible. Christian marketing has seized upon this apparent hunger for Bible acquisition and presented the Christian community with a tantalizing array of study Bibles, study helps, and a multitude of versions from which to choose. Elaborate and complex computer Bible programs can be purchased and entire Bibles in a variety of versions are available for hand-held Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's). There is a Bible for every personal need. Knowledge of God's Word is important; without it we would not know about God. However, facts, information, doctrine and theology do not always put us in touch with God; they do not connect us to God personally. Knowledge about God does not necessarily translate into knowledge of God experientially. Facts and information about God's Word may be one step to knowing God, but is only one step towards God. God is not known or experienced fully until we connect with Him personally through His Word. Christians seek to experience God in a variety of ways. Some seek to experience Him in worship, while others attempt to discover what "God is doing," and then join in. Some seek to experience God through the expression of charismatic gifts, while others Page 9 of 82

10 seek to experience Him through prayer, meditation, or encounters in spiritual warfare. Walk with the Word is based on the belief that the best way to know God personally is to experience Him through His Word. How does experiencing God personally through His Word happen? It happens when we allow Him to "speak" to us through His Word. It doesn't take a study Bible to make that happen, but it does take time. We believe that every Christian is capable of hearing God speak through His Word. Too few Christians today are truly experiencing God through His Word because they have assumed that the attaining of facts and knowledge about God's Word is sufficient. [See Hearing God s Voice on the Walk with the Word web site.] The Theme of Walk with the Word ʺYour word I have treasured in my heart...ʺ Psalm 119:11 As stated previously, simply having knowledge of the Bible and its content is not enough. There is a marked difference between knowledge of the Bible in the mind and having the knowledge of God through His Word in the heart. Knowing God through His Word at the level of the heart implies that the Bible is one's personal source for all truth and meaning. To know the Bible means that the truths of the Word of God have infused every aspect of a person's being the thought life, one's personal conduct and lifestyle, and in particular, relationships. It is not enough just to have a good knowledge of the Bible. The Bible is living and is to be "fleshed out." Additionally, we believe that the "voice" of God these days is no different than it has always been the voice of God is the Word of God. While many promote reliance upon practical approaches to Christian living, upon self-help sources, upon charismatic manifestations such as Page 10 of 82

11 tongues, prophecy, healings and miracles, and even upon the very act or worship itself, at Walk with the Word we believe that the only reliable and trustworthy source for "hearing God" is through His Word. Therefore, it is our desire that every reader learn how to become intimately connected with God through His Word. Walk with the Word provides a systematic method for reading through the Bible every 3 years. The program is designed to be implemented by churches on a church-wide basis, as a small group ministry, or for the individual. Teaching through the Bible every 3 years is not for the mere purpose of completing a noble task. In summary then, Walk with the Word primarily focuses on three things: (1) to receive the Word (accurately understand the Bible and be able to interact with it on a personal level, to the point that God speaks to the heart); (2) to live the Word ("flesh out" God's Word to the point that the truth permeates every aspect of the believer's life, affecting decision-making, behavior and relationships); and, (3) to spread the Word (share the good news found in God's Word with pre-christians, and help them to receive the Word and begin living the Word). Reading Schedule The Walk with the Word plan calls for studying the entire Word of God every 3 years in a variety of ways so as to make the Word a vital and living part of every believer's life. Completing the Bible in 3 years requires a reading schedule that covers an average 3 chapters a week in the NT (there are 260 chapters in the NT) and an average 11 chapters a week in the OT (929 chapters in the Page 11 of 82

12 OT). This 3 year cycle of reading through the Bible can be repeated going through the Bible left to right (Genesis through Revelation), chronologically, etc. The question might be raised, "Why not go through the Bible every year?" The answer is this: a one-year-through-the-bible plan calls for too much reading. It gets overwhelming for the average reader. [See The Reading Plan on the web site for more information.] How to Use Walk with the Word On this web site is further information on how to use the foundation of Walk with the Word for: A Church-wide Program. Tie the Sunday School, pulpit and small group Bible study ministries in your church to the reading plan to guide every age group and maturity level through a coordinated study of the entire Bible. A Small Group Ministry. By using the Bible studies provided on this web site, small groups can learn together how to hear God speaking through His Word. An Individual Guide. Personally follow the reading schedule and subscribe to the Walk with the Word newsletter that delivers a weekly study based on a portion of each week s reading. As you read through each page as we ve ordered them, you will see how the foundation is laid with the individual and how it is leveraged for small groups and even throughout the whole church. Page 12 of 82

13 Chapter 2: How to Read God s Word There are basically four ways to read God's Word: Informational Instructional Inspirational Incarnational The approach you select reflects the difference between the desire for more data about God versus building a relationship with Him. Informational Reading The first and most basic of all Bible reading is "informational"; that is, it is the gathering of facts. Informational reading provides information and knowledge, but it does not necessarily result in changed behavior. Based on the information, the reader is still able to choose whether or not to believe that information, much less make changes in lifestyle as a result of reading God's Word. The world is full of scholars who have studied the Bible all their lives and can even translate it from the original languages. They may be able to quote large sections of Scripture but that does not mean that the Bible is for them the Word of God; they tend to see the Bible merely as a history or philosophy book of great interest. Christians, particularly Bible teachers, can fall into the trap of reading God's Word simply for informational purposes and never allow God to

14 speak to them through His Word to the level of the heart. That is a great tragedy and not what God intended. Instructional Reading The second method of reading the Word of God is "instructional"; that is, God's Word is there to teach us. ʺHow can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.ʺ Psalm 119:9 ʺDo not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances.ʺ Psalm 119:43 ʺI rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great spoil.ʺ Psalm 119:162 Instructional reading of God's Word is to seek knowledge that will change or strengthen what we believe. We go to the Word to learn truth. The difference between informational reading and instructional reading is that the latter tends to have greater personal value and can result in changed behavior. New believers often immerse themselves in instructional reading. For the first time in their lives the Bible comes alive. This is the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit as He opens the Word of God to our minds. Suddenly spiritual things begin to make sense. For example, stories like Noah's ark and the Sermon on the Mount have a context; the person, teaching, miracles and works of Jesus begin to fall into place. For many new believers, discovering God in His Word is one of the most exciting things that ever happens to them. Good Bible teachers always study the Bible on an instructional level, for the task of the teacher or the preacher is to explain to others the revelation of God through His Word, and not just convey facts and information. Page 14 of 82

15 Inspirational Reading Inspirational reading is also called devotional reading. This approach to the Word of God is usually in conjunction with an emotional or personal need, such as grief. David wrote... ʺI am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.ʺ Psalm 119:107 ʺYou are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.ʺ Psalm 119:114 ʺPlead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.ʺ Psalm 119:154 David knew that throwing himself into God's Word would revive his spirit and restore his soul. The classic "quiet time" is often a time of inspirational reading. The purpose? To inspire us, of course; that is, to renew our spirits and restore our hopes. Inspirational reading can be very important to us during times of crisis. We are not necessarily looking for information, and if truth be known, instruction is not desired. What is needed is a spiritual "lift," a word of comfort from the Father. Usually inspirational reading is not structured or methodic. More commonly, a believer is hurting and goes looking through the Psalms or prophets for a ray of hope. The long-term benefits of inspirational reading are perhaps not as manifest as the short-term benefits which can be remarkable. In one's darkest hour, a passage of Scripture that would make no sense out of context may be the very source of inspiration that is needed to enable the believer to cope or endure, and as the missionary and author Elisabeth Elliot says, "Do the next thing." Page 15 of 82

16 Incarnational Reading Incarnational reading is the most dramatic and enduring of all types of reading. Incarnational reading refers to taking the Word of God to the level of the heart resulting not only in changed living, but changed relationships. One form of a changed relationship comes in truly knowing God. ʺWith all my heart I have sought You: Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.ʺ Psalm 119:10 11 ʺThe LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word.ʺ Psalm 119:57 58 When incarnational reading takes place the reader believes without hesitation that God is speaking. He or she "hears" the voice of God. The key to grasping incarnational reading is in understanding that the Bible is, in fact, the very words of God, relevant and applicable to the reader today. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, ʺFor the word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.ʺ Hebrews 4:12 One of the best ways to attain incarnational reading is to journal one's thoughts as he or she reflects on the Word of God. [See Journaling under the Individual Guide section of Walk with the Word.] Page 16 of 82

17 Don t Get Discouraged! It is the rare individual who can actually find time to sit down and read the Bible every day. Illness, crises, work schedules, babies, vacations, and a myriad other factors can interfere with our time in the Word. Satan would love for you to feel guilty about missing your reading. In fact, he would love for you to get so discouraged as to give up altogether! He doesn't want you in God's Word even a little bit. But Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." God loves you even if you miss reading His Word, and He's delighted for you when you pick it up again because He knows you will be blessed. Don't get discouraged if you miss a day or more of reading. The plan is designed to keep you up with the rest of us. Therefore, if you miss a week's reading, just join back in the next week so you will remain at the same place with the rest of us. Remember, the Walk with the Word Reading Schedule repeats every 3 years. Therefore, you will be able to pick up the missed portion of Scripture on the next go-around! Page 17 of 82

18 Chapter 3: Hearing God s Voice We long to hear God s voice. What we often fail to realize is that God longs to speak to us. If God desires that we pray without ceasing, be devoted to prayer, and cast all (our) anxieties upon Him, would it make any sense that He Himself would not speak to us as well about anything? Many agree that God speaks to us today, but how? Here are a few common beliefs. Hearing the Voice of God: Let Me Count the Ways God speaks only through the Bible, and only to a limited degree. This is a common theological position held by many conservative, mainstream evangelicals. God s revelation is complete and He speaks only through the theological truths of the Bible. Revelation the disclosure of absolute biblical truth was completed with the close of the New Testament canon. Illumination by the Holy Spirit helps believers understand and properly interpret truth. Practical application of biblical truth is less critical than proper methods of interpretation of Scripture. Personalization (personal, practical application in everyday situations) is dependent upon the believer s grasp and application of biblical truth and purely for purposes of sanctification. Sanctify them in Your word. Your word is truth. (John 17:17) God speaks to believers through His Word, but His voice is limited to theological truths, and the personalization of Scripture is limited to the practical application of those truths. Page 18 of 82 Used by Permission. All other content, materials, etc. on this site are Copyright by Walk with the Word and/or LogosWalk. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit

19 God speaks through the Bible, but also through believers with spiritual gifts such as prophecy, words of knowledge and words of wisdom. This is what is commonly called a Charismatic view. Though the Charismatic view would deny that new theological truth can be given outside the Bible (new revelation), God can speak directly to believers through gifted people. Some believers have the gift of prophecy, others of wisdom, others of knowledge, others of tongues and still others the gift of interpreting tongues. These gifted believers can speak to the everyday concerns and problems of other believers because the socalled sign gifts of the New Testament did not cease when the canon was closed. All gifts of the Holy Spirit are as available to believers today as they were to the believers of the Early Church. Believers hear God s voice through gifted teachers (the teaching of the Bible) and through members of the body of Christ, the church, whom God has gifted. God speaks through the Bible, but also through extra biblical sources. For example, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that God speaks through papal decrees and church councils as well as the Bible. The doctrine of Apostolic Succession teaches that the Pope is the direct spiritual descendant of the Apostle Peter and therefore is the only one anointed by God capable of revealing new truth. In general, the believer receives all of his instruction from the church, including the proper interpretation and application of Scripture. As far as the believer is concerned, the presence of the Holy Spirit is purely for purposes of sanctification. This approach to hearing God s voice expresses itself in other denominations as well. Mormonism, for example, considers the extra-biblical writings of Joseph Smith to be equivalent to the Bible. Followers hear God s voice through Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price as well as from the Bible. Another example is the Seventhday Adventist Church. Followers believe Ellen White was a true prophet of God and her writing and teaching, though by SDA doctrine not equivalent to the Bible, should be heeded as if it were. Page 19 of 82

20 With all these conflicting views, how does a Christian hear God s voice today? What means has God provided that enables His children to hear His voice? Walk with the Word takes the position that every Christian can hear God s voice directly through His Word. Hearing God s voice does not require a church hierarchy to speak to believers. Hearing God s voice does not require extra-biblical writings and does not require specially gifted believers. Nor has God ceased speaking directly to believers. To repeat, Walk with the Word takes the position that every believer can hear God s voice directly through His Word. The key is in the phrase through His Word. The Bible Alone is the Word of God Walk with the Word takes the position that the Bible alone is the only source of revelational truth from God. When the canon of the New Testament was closed, no other revelational truth was required, delivered or needed. Extra-biblical writings and the doctrine of Apostolic Succession are not part of God s plan or revelation. Regarding the New Testament, God s truth came solely from Jesus Christ (John 14:6; 17:8, 17) through the apostles and prophets of the Early Church (John 16:13; Ephesians 2:20). In fact, the New Testament writers clearly warned against attempts and predicted there would be attempts by others to add to or change the truth as given to them directly from Jesus Christ (Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:1, 7; 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 1:1, 14; 2 Peter 1:12; 2:1-2; 1 John 4:1; Jude 17-19). All true Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. This truth was prophesied in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32) and realized in the New (John 20:22; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38-39; 10:44; Romans 8:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 6:9; Galatians 3:5). The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer brings about, amongst other things, the assurance of eternal life (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:13), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4, 7), a new identity as a child of God (Romans 8:16), empowerment for sanctification (1 Page 20 of 82

21 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:12), and His leading (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18). Additionally, the Holy Spirit speaks to and through the spirit of the believer (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 8:19; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 15:28; Romans 8:16; Galatians 5:16, 25; Ephesians 5:18-19; 6:18). Though there are varying interpretations to each of these passages, this one thing is clear: there is the potential for dynamic interaction between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the believer. At Walk with the Word we believe that it is this divine interaction between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the believer that enables a person to become directly connected to God through His Word; that is, to hear God s voice. Is it an audible voice? No, it is a voice heard from the heart superintended by the Holy Spirit. Only True Christians Have the Holy Spirit Many people call themselves Christian. The only correct definition, however, must come from the Bible. The term Christian was first used in a town called Antioch in Syria (Acts 11:26). In general, the term referred to those who were followers of Jesus Christ. Specifically, however, early Christians knew actually what the term meant: They had received Jesus Christ as the Savior from their sins and the only hope of eternal life. In gratitude, the obvious response was becoming a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ for the rest of one s life. For Jews, that meant acknowledging that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and announcing such through baptism (Acts 2:37-41). By accepting the fact that Jesus was the Messiah and receiving Him, they also acknowledged that their sins could be forgiven by Him. But God alone can forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12). Thus Jesus was the Son of God and therefore equal to God, the very reason for which He was crucified (John 5:18; 8:59). Other portions of Scripture clearly indicate that Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Logos, the Son of God. John 1:1-5, 14; 19:7; 20:31; Luke 22:70 should end all discussion on whether or not Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. It stands to reason, then, that Page 21 of 82

22 regardless of how good or sincere a person s faith might be, if they call themselves Christian but worship a Jesus other than He who is presented in the Bible, they worship a false god. The Jesus they worship is a Jesus of fabrication, not the Jesus of the Bible. Therefore, if the Jesus that is worshipped is not the Jesus of the Bible, then it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to dwell within the person, regardless of how good or morally pure that individual might appear to be. Therefore, to experience the divine interaction between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the believer that enables him to become directly connected with God through His Word, the Holy Spirit must dwell within. If a Jesus other than the Jesus of the Bible is not worshipped or received, the Holy Spirit does not dwell within. True Christians are those, and only those, who have, with a sincere heart by faith, received the Jesus of the Bible as the one and only Savior from their sins. The Bible teaches that when a person receives Jesus by an act of faith, the Holy Spirit comes to permanently dwell within the life of that person. Literally, a spiritual transformation takes place. That person is delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13), forgiven of all sins past, present and future (Colossians 1:14), seen by God as one of His children (Romans 8:15-16), made a co-heir of Christ Himself (Romans 8:17), and made a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Only the Holy Spirit Can Explain God s Word Has it ever happened that a scholar has read and studied the Bible most of his or her life and yet not become a Christian? Does it happen that a person reads the Bible, even quotes verses from the Bible, and yet does not become a follower of Jesus Christ? Of course; it happens all the time. Why is this the case? How does this happen? It happens because the individual reading the Bible has not committed to receiving Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior, and therefore the Holy Spirit does not dwell within. Page 22 of 82

23 Without the Holy Spirit in the life of the reader, the Bible is just another book; either an interesting history of the Jews, a book of philosophy, or an intriguing book of antiquity. Some may even receive inspiration from the Bible, such as the desire to have 1 Corinthians 13 read at a wedding, or Psalm 23 read at a funeral. But regardless, without the Holy Spirit it is impossible for the reader to appreciate the Bible as God's Word. The Bible is more than a book of historical fact or a source of inspiration. It is literally the Word of God; that is, God s word to mankind, given to change him. God gave us His Word so that we might know Him, might order our lives around Him, and might learn to live by faith in Him. This can only be done if we hear His voice. The Old Testament was given, amongst other reasons, so that Jesus Christ might be recognized when He came. The New Testament was given so that the church might have a foundation for carrying the good news about Jesus Christ to all people. Through the Bible all absolute spiritual truth has been given once for all with the closing of the canon. That does not mean the words themselves are no longer dynamic and available for personal application on a daily basis. The Bible is not just full of static spiritual truths to be applied as necessary by the believer. For indeed, The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12). While some apply this verse only to the act of justification of the unsaved, and still others to include the sanctification of the believer, Walk with the Word takes the position that the Word of God is applicable for all believers in all areas of the Christian walk at all times of the Christian s life. The operative word, of course, is all. Not only does the Holy Spirit explain God s Word to us that is, help us understand its truths He is always present in our lives to help us apply God s Word to any given situation. Page 23 of 82

24 The Bible is not a book of static truths to be learned and applied; the Bible is literally God s voice speaking to us in any given situation at any given moment in time. God wants his children to make the right choices and understand how to apply His principles in every area of life. Therefore, He has given us His Word as His Voice, heard by the heart, superintended by the Spirit. At Walk with the Word, we believe that personal application can be made from any portion of Scripture. That is because the Word of God is living and active The Bible is very much like a two-way radio with the party at the other end, the transmitter always on the air. The listener can turn on his receiver and hear the words of the transmitter and just listen. Because the transmitter has a basic program presented in an infinite variety of ways, the listener can always learn something new each time he listens. But it doesn t end with just listening. There are times when the listener has a specific question or need. The listener can call the transmitter and ask a specific question (prayer), and the transmitter is there to provide a specific answer. Learning to apply God s Word to one s daily walk is only part of the process. Walk with the Word recognizes the value, for example, of the Life Application Study Bible (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2000). The editors have done a superb work in providing practical application to all parts of God s Word. But here again, it is the editors who have provided the application. Walk with the Word encourages each and every believer to learn to apply God s Word on his or her own to everyday, personal situations, therefore taking application one step further: personally hearing God s voice through His Word. Hearing God s Voice: How It Works In Southern California, a young couple was preparing to go to the mission field. Their organization gave them the choice of going to Africa or to Central Asia. They were undecided. Obviously, they could be used mightily by God in either location. They desperately sought God s will in Page 24 of 82

25 the matter. They wanted to know where, with their gifts, talents and personalities, they could best be used. They asked for guidance from the Holy Spirit whether they should go to Africa or to Central Asia. It was while reading Jeremiah 24 that their hearts began leaning toward Central Asia. They saw Central Asia as more the figs that could not be eaten due to rottenness (v. 2). Later, when asked why God would send them to a country where they could not openly evangelize and plant churches, Isaiah 58:6-11 spoke to their hearts. It would be their very presence, the testimony of their lives manifested through the good works of helping the poor and oppressed, that would serve as a witness of Jesus Christ and His love, and break down the cultural barriers against Christians. Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard (v. 8). God s Word, applied in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, enabled this couple to make a difficult decision about where to go on the mission field. Here s another example. The deacon of a church was very discouraged. It seemed that no one appreciated him, even his pastor. He just did his work, week after week, without recognition or appreciation. Recently, he had even come under criticism about some unpopular actions he had taken. He was about to quit his position and leave the church. One morning, during his private devotions, he read in the book of Judges about the Danites inability to drive out the people in the valleys, forcing them to live in the mountains not an ideal place for an agricultural people. He asked the Holy Spirit to open his eyes to see what the passage meant to him personally. Quickly he began to see that the reason the Danites had been unable to drive out the people was because they lacked faith and failed to believe God. Instead of trusting God, they took matters into their own hands and, against God s will, left their designated home and migrated north. The journey was disastrous, resulting in the Danites introducing idolatry into Israel. The deacon realized that he needed to trust God, that God had given him a land to live in, and that to leave Page 25 of 82

26 would be against God s will. He needed to trust that his work did not go unnoticed by the One who really counts, God Himself. He needed to learn to live by faith, unconcerned about the lack of appreciation of others. To leave against God s will would be to follow the pattern of the Israelites in Judges: everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). Here are two examples of how Christians heard the voice of God through His Word. They were, through the Holy Spirit, able to apply God s Word to their personal situations. Is This Spiritualizing the Text? In the many ways the Scriptures can be interpreted, the only correct method is the literal-historical approach. That is, the interpreter must assume verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, that the writers were superintended by the Holy Spirit, that the biblical text is to be taken as literal until proved otherwise, that the text must be interpreted in light of the historical context, and that the interpreter must attempt to discern what was the author s intent in writing the biblical text. Such are the principles of correct interpretation of Scripture. To spiritualize the text is to apply a method of interpretation that implies that the true meaning of the text is hidden, and that the text means something other than what it appears to say on the surface. Similar to allegorization, spiritualizing the text states there is a mystical, hidden meaning to the text, something that goes beyond the literal-historical meaning, and that is the true and only correct interpretation of the text. It is a mystical approach to interpreting God s Word. Hearing God s voice through His Word is not spiritualizing a biblical text because it has nothing to do with the interpretation of Scripture. Hearing God s voice through His Word pertains only to application, not to interpretation. It is using the principles, the thoughts, and the words of Scripture to apply to an individual s given situation. This is nothing new in Scripture. In fact, God expects the believer to apply the principles Page 26 of 82

27 of His Word. John 14:21 states, He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me God expects that those who say they love Jesus will apply His words to their lives and live accordingly. Again, Galatians 6:7 states, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. The Life Application Study Bible provides a general application: It would certainly be a surprise if you planted corn and pumpkins came up. It s a natural law to reap what we sow. It s true in other areas too. If you gossip about your friends, you will lose their friendship. Every action has results. If you plant to please your own desires, you ll reap a crop of sorrow and evil. If you plant to please God, you ll reap joy and everlasting life. What kind of seeds are you sowing? (p. 2067). The principles of hearing God s voice through His Word is nothing more than enabling every believer to make his or her own personal application to life situations from God s Word. Pitfalls and Dangers One objection raised to applying God s Word to one s personal circumstances is that the application will be incorrect or even unbiblical. There is the humorous story of the Christian who wanted to hear what God had to say, and so closed his eyes and opened to a verse in the Bible. He placed his finger on the verse that read, Judas hanged himself. Finding that verse not very encouraging, he closed his eyes and picked another verse. It read, Go thou and do likewise. Still unsatisfied with the results, he chose yet another verse. It read, What thou doest, do quickly! (Old anecdotal story; source unknown) It is very possible that the Bible may be misapplied just like it is possible that the Bible may be misinterpreted. But because the Bible may be misinterpreted, should believers be discouraged from reading it? Of course not. Because the Word of God may be misapplied, the alternative of not making personal application is far worse and deprives the believer of one of the great blessings and intentions from God s Word. David Page 27 of 82

28 wrote, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Here are some guidelines that may be helpful to correctly hearing God s voice through His Word. No application can be contrary to what the Word of God itself teaches. For example, the Bible clearly teaches, both in the Old and New Testaments, that adultery is a sin. Therefore, it is an incorrect application that a husband or wife should leave their spouse because God s will is for me to be with this other person. It is impossible for that application to be the will of God. It is, most likely, the will of the flesh. The principles of the New Testament always take precedence over the principles of the Old Testament. For example, God gave the Israelites instructions to drive out, and sometimes destroy, wicked nations. This instruction from God s Word was applied incorrectly to support the Crusades. In recent years, similar misapplication has been used to bring harm to those who promote abortion. But God never gives that instruction in the New Testament. The progress of the kingdom of God is made by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), not by violence. Nowhere in the New Testament is violence ever advocated. Therefore, any application that includes violence is not from the Holy Spirit, but from Satan. Sometimes there is more than one right application. For example, a young woman may be faced with the decision of marrying and raising a Christian family, or of remaining single and going to the mission field, or any combination thereof. Any of those choices are pleasing to God; that is, no one choice may be more God s will than another. In that case, God may leave it up to the believer to pursue the desires of her heart as long as, in the process, she seeks to please God in the process. God s will Page 28 of 82

29 is that the young woman wants to please Him. How she does that may be left entirely up to her. If in doubt, ask. To avoid misinterpretations of the Bible, study Bibles and Bible dictionaries are available, as well as the teaching of pastors, elders, deacons, and Christians strong and experienced in the faith. Because of the nature of hearing God s voice through His Word personal application few books are available because they would have to be many volumes and would have to be about you! Learning to hear God s voice through His Word is a blessing that develops with experience and maturity. Therefore, for someone new at listening to God s voice, seek the counsel of a more mature and seasoned Christian. The best help would not be for that individual to hear God s voice for you, but to facilitate the process by which you yourself are enabled to hear God s voice. Connecting with God through His Word means hearing God s voice personally. At Walk with the Word we believe every Christian who indeed has the Holy Spirit dwelling within is gifted and able to hear God s voice directly through His Word. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Page 29 of 82

30 Chapter 4: Reading Plan Whether opting for a personal study plan or for a small group or church-wide application, it begins with adopting a Scripture reading plan. Believers need to immerse themselves in the WHOLE Word of God. In particular the truth is that the New Testament can never be fully understood without the foundation of the Old Testament. Jesus Himself used the whole of the Old Testament to explain to His disciples the meaning of everything He revealed in the New. Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27 In fact, labeling the two parts Old and New is a misnomer. If we had our way, we d rename the Old Testament to The Beginning, the New Testament to The Middle, and include a blank page at the end titled The End. It s really all one seamless, integrated whole. The Basic Purpose of the Reading Plan ʺEstablish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.ʺ Psalm 119:38 The basic purpose of the "Walk with the Word Reading Plan" is to provide a structure by which participants can read through the Bible entirely in just over 3 years. The "Walk with the Word Reading Plan" covers approximately 11 chapters per week in the Old Testament (15 chapters a week through the Book of Psalms) and an average of 4 chapters a week in the New Testament. Page 30 of 82 Used by Permission. All other content, materials, etc. on this site are Copyright by Walk with the Word and/or LogosWalk. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit

31 The reading is purposely kept to no more than about 2 chapters a day at the most to not only make the volume of reading manageable, but to encourage each Believer in the pursuit of hearing God s voice by being able to concentrate on achieving quality over quantity. Although the reading plan cycles through the entire Bible, this is not a race to read the whole Bible but an exercise to read the whole Bible meaningfully. Should Walk with the Word be adopted by your local church and the reading schedule coordinated with other ministries, by reading the assigned chapters on one's own during the week, the believer will already understand the context for the message from Sunday morning sermons which may be on the same plan. Parents will also be able to discuss Sunday School lessons with their children because the Sunday school ministry may also be following the same plan. Additionally, assisted learning for adults may be available through an Adult Sunday School and through small group Bible studies that meet in homes during the week. The schedule is available on the web site by clicking on the appropriate year. The Ultimate Purpose of the Reading Plan ʺI rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.ʺ Psalm 119: The ultimate purpose of the Walk with the Word Reading Plan is not just to provide a structure for "getting through" God's Word every 3 years. As stated earlier, knowledge of God's Word is important and foundational, but knowledge alone does not necessarily change the heart. The ultimate purpose of reading through God's Word is to change the heart, which in turn changes the mind, which in turn changes behavior, Page 31 of 82